American Honda Gwinnet Honda Auto Repair Manager Not honoring warranties on engine leaking coolant Torrance, California

Here is my story,

I bought a very nice Honda 2008 for 23,000 cash from Honda in Conyers, GA. It was part of my back pay from Social Security Disability. I need dependable transportation.  I am disabled and do not drive often or far distance. I am a single middle aged mother of a teenager.I had an accident that cause damage over the passengers tire a year later.  I took the car to a body shop affiliated with Honda. They have and excellent reputation and had done very good work for me in the past. They sent the car to the dealer Honda in Conyers for repairs concerning the wheel.  I asked if the engine or transmission was damaged as it would be covered by my insurance I was assured by Conyers Honda that that was not the case and was shown in an inspection why it was not. They fixed my car.  It drove well except for a metal to metal rattling noise. I took the car back repeatably for that.  The mechanics were young and kept fixing on my car charging the warranty and the insurance co for duplicate parts. 

Each time they released the car to me, it was worse than when I took it in. The last time they released the car, the car pulled me into other lanes on the hwy. I was going to pick up my daughter from school. The manager and CEO  assured me they had test drove the car.  They knew the car was going all over the road. I went straight (that instance) to another dealer and called corporate.  Corporate told the second dealer to fix the car. They did, reporting bolts screws loose and rods almost coming out of the sockets. They reported the car not safe to drive. There was a loss of speed. They said fluid was poured all under the hood. "Nasty".  I guess they wanted to get rid of me because they could not fix the car. They thought if I had an accident no one could tell where the bad repair work was coming from. They were not counting on me gong straight to another dealer. But Honda in Snellsville fixed it. My car was under 35,000 miles at this time. Full warranty.

Looking back, I think the Honda of Conyers techs did not put things back together with all the nuts, bolts and screws. The srews were rattling but they did not know what it was so they started working on whatever they thought it could have been.  Corporate customer service advised  Honda in Snellsville to fix the car.  They did.  There was no loss of speed.  Then a few months later, I started experiencing loss of speed if I drove the car for over two hours.  Especially going around corners. I kept taking it back and they could not duplicate the problem. I later found out they could not duplicate it because the engine was not hot.  I was taking it to them first thing in the mornings.

Then white smoke started coming out the tail end and because I left my lights on a couple of times I have to get my battery boosted every other day. I had a prepaid legal service lawyer send them a demand letter to fix my car and give an extended bumper to bumper warranty. The car is under warranty but I wanted it extended  because of expected repairs and because no one could duplicate the problem. My car was still under the power train under 40,000. still under 50,000 now.  Honda had issued an extended warranty on the engine if it ran hot for leaking. My car ran hot in September. It did not blow up. I just sat for a while. Later had fluids checked at a close car wash. It has not ran hot since. However, I was advised by prepaid legal to take the car to  another repair shop to have it inspected because everytime I went to Honda about the smoke and losing speed. they would say they could not duplicate the problem. I was told the engine was leaking coolant and because it ran hot, the coil may be damaged. If the coil was damage, the coil gets hot,  the car loses speed. In other words, when I drive it for a while the car is starting to run hot.  I called corporate who tried to hang up the phone saying there was nothing they could do. They would not issue an extended warranty nor were they trying to fix my car. I argued with them. Finally, I suggested they make an appointment at a dealer and have an open mind They did and sent an representative, a parts and service manager from Alpaharetta to be a witness. 

To make a long story short, She backed them up after catching them in lies. She was appalled at what they said as they showed off in front of her as if they knew she was not going to be a problem. She asked are you going to let HIM work on her car? She asked questions express disapproval of comments with her mouth open but in the end she reported they could not duplicate the problem. I am sure the way she smiled at the manager with her tongue between her teeth they went to drinks later. I was there from 10am to 3pm. I asked they check my battery that I was getting boost every other day. I was willing to pay for it and they said the machine said it was ok and that they checked and nothing was shortening out the car. Next time have the car towed in to the nearest dealer.  I guess hoping it would not be them. They did not try to duplicate the problem. They just had to turn the lights on for two minutes. Why I got to be on the side of the road after sitting there all day? I already used up my roadside assistance and relying on strangers to jump me off.  I think that battery was under warranty. I think there is a life time warranty on the battery.  I requested they test drive the car. They did for about twenty min. The lady from Alpaharetta (witness) said they test drove for a considerable amount of time.  But I had told them you had to drive the car for a few hours. Like a trip. I don't know how she fixed her mouth to say the things she did.  I initially thought they were going to keep the car. That was my request to corporate so they could drive it.  Corporate told me they would get a rental if needed. None of that stuff happen. I guess they knew they were not going to need it. 

My physically disability was getting to me and the technician made fun of me by making a few ill placed remarks.  I stayed focus because he wanted me to lose my professionalism to use it against me. But I did not. He was angry with me because 15 min after arrival. He showed the bottom of the car and showed where there were no leaks or cracks. All of them was so happy. He explained in great detail that if the car was leaking then he would see it from under the bottom of the car.  I called the previous inspector and asked where was the car leaking from. They said through the engine block and you cannot see it from under the car.  They said the fluid was building up in the values or coming out through the oil. I asked the tech if he knew if it could be leaking like that and he said yes then the insults came.   He said he no reason to check the engine or pull the head.  the manger said later he checked the oil but I doubt it because of what he said about the battery.

THEY HAD MADE UP THEIR MINDS THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT ENGINE UNLESS I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHICH I WAS TRYING TO AVOID AFTER SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE KILLED JUST IN THE PAST WEEK BECAUSE OF THE BAD WEATHER WAITING ON HELP.   When a car runs hot anything can blow especially if they have to see the bottom of the engine crack. Their extended warranty will cover certain parts and so does the power train. I said "It seems I have to be on the  of the side of the road to get my car fixed".  The witness said,  "We have an extended warranty so IF THAT IS WHAT IT IS (running hot)  we will fix it." Already, building a case.  I told her I have a warranty that is not the problem. The problem is getting you to admit I have a problem and fixing my car. You are not honoring your warranty.   The only people worked on my car was Honda except for an occasional oil change which is not a requirement to be done at Honda. The only reason  I had it done there a few times was because Honda dealer is not that close to where I live.

I called my prepaid lawyer and he said he hoped they would care about their customer and I could get my car fixed by calling corporate. He said if they did not agree to fix it call him back.   The next day I called them. I wanted to know what the witness was going to say. I had hoped she would tell the truth.  They told me there was nothting they could do for me and I demanded to speak with a manager who said basically I had a prepaid legal lawyer, and laughed until I told him I was recording him then he hung up the phone.  Buy American. Honda is out of business and they know it. Get your car fixed while you can.  They are not going to get away with taking my money, messing up my car, and telling me to kiss off.   At this writing, I am still getting my car boosted off.  I have contacted an out of state attorney. I have contacted the Attorney General, Federal Trade Commission. Because these rich people are connected. I will not continue to be their victim.  I am joining a class action lawsuit and if I must hire a private attorney of my own I will.  This will be handled.  Honda needs to recall. They are not going to replace all those engines.  Please call NHTSA 1-888-327-4236 TTY TTY:1-800-424-9153    and make it known. If they get enough complaints, Honda will have to do a recall. Times are tough send them out of the US. Buy American and help the economy. I am going to get my money back and that is what I am going to do.  At least they are not selling crack engines and telling you to piss off.